Architectonic distribution of the serotonin transporter within the orbitofrontal cortex of the vervet monkey

Neuroscience. 2007 Sep 21;148(4):937-48. doi: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2007.06.038. Epub 2007 Jul 17.

Abstract

To elucidate the organization of the serotoninergic innervation within the orbitofrontal cortex (OFC), serotonin transporter (SERT) density was quantified by autoradiography using [(3)H]cyanoimipramine binding. In six adult vervet monkeys, 15 architectonic areas were delineated according to cytoarchitectonic (Nissl), myeloarchitectonic (Gallyas) and chemoarchitectonic (acetylcholinesterase) criteria to assess SERT distribution at two levels of organization: cortical area and cortical type. For cortical type, the 15 areas were evenly divided into three different categories primarily based upon the degree of granularization of layer IV: agranular, dysgranular, and granular. Within agranular and dysgranular, but not granular cortical types, SERT density was area-specific and progressively decreased in a medial to lateral gradient. Across cortical types, SERT density decreased in a caudal to rostral gradient: agranular>dysgranular>granular. A similar caudal to rostral gradient was seen when serotonin content was measured (using high performance liquid chromatography) in areas representative of each cortical type. Collectively, these results suggest that the serotoninergic innervation is organized according to both cortical type and area, and is thus structured to differentially modulate information processing within the OFC.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acetylcholinesterase / metabolism
  • Animals
  • Autoradiography / methods
  • Brain Mapping
  • Chlorocebus aethiops / metabolism*
  • Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Imipramine / analogs & derivatives
  • Imipramine / pharmacokinetics
  • Male
  • Prefrontal Cortex / anatomy & histology*
  • Prefrontal Cortex / metabolism*
  • Serotonin / metabolism
  • Serotonin Antagonists / pharmacokinetics
  • Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins / metabolism*
  • Tritium / pharmacokinetics

Substances

  • Serotonin Antagonists
  • Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins
  • cianopramine
  • Tritium
  • Serotonin
  • Acetylcholinesterase
  • Imipramine